Proceeds to go to children's charities.

July 20, 2012|By TOM MOOR | South Bend Tribune

Tom and Bryan Ride on Sunday, July 22 to remember fallen Mishawaka police officers Thomas Roberts and Bryan Verkler were killed in the line of duty nearly nine years ago. (Photo taken by WSBT's Ed Ernstes)

MISHAWAKA — Mishawaka officers Thomas Roberts and Bryan Verkler were killed in the line of duty nearly nine years ago, but their memory remains through their charity to benefit children.

The seventh annual Tom and Bryan Ride, a 70-mile motorcycle trip, is taking place at this hour to benefit the Tom and Bryan Foundation, a nonprofit for children’s charities in the area.“We don’t do this to remind everyone of their death,” said Mishawaka police Sgt. Russ Haimbaugh, one of the event’s organizers. “We do this to remind them there are good people out there that do good things for the community. It reminds us of the good things these guys did for the community.”Cpl. Roberts and Patrolman Verkler were responding to a call on Dec. 13, 2003, when they were fatally wounded by a gunman who later turned the weapon on himself.The ride, which draws people from all over the area, started at 11 a.m. at the Mishawaka FOP No. 91 at 1825 E. 12th St. and is heading to Koontz Lake and back.Besides raising money for children’s charities, Haimbaugh said this year organizers also are hoping to use some of the money for Army Spc. Lucas Oppelt, a 2000 Mishawaka High School graduate critically injured in Afghanistan over the Memorial Day weekend.Haimbaugh was expecting 300 to 350 people to participate in this year’s ride.Cost was $20 per bike and $25 with a passenger. That cost included entry for the ride and cookout, and the first 500 riders to register received a Tom and Bryan Ride T-shirt.Staff writer Tom Moor:tmoor@sbtinfo.com574-235-6234